Phase II Trial of Biweekly Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine as Second-Line Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of biweekly administration of paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had been treated previously with platinum-based chemotherapy. Paclitaxel (150 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) were administered biweekly for at least 4 cycles. Thirty-one patients with a median age of 64 years (39-75 years) were enrolled in this study(stage IIIB/IV :11/20,PS 0/1/2:13/16/2).Partial response was observed in 7 cases (23%), and stable disease was seen in 18 cases (58%).Median survival time was 8.8 months with a one-year survival rate of 41.9 %.Hematological toxicities were mild and neutropenia of grade 3 or above was observed in one patient (3%). Non-hematological toxicities were also mild, including neurotoxicity (3%). Biweekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine combination chemotherapy was effective and tolerated well as second-line therapy against NSCLC